Turkish soldiers detained after beating Syrian refugees near border: Army

ANKARA

Soldiers who were seen in video footage mistreating Syrian refugees at the border have been detained, the Turkish Armed Forces stated on July 30. 

The army said that “all necessary administrative and legal procedures” have been launched into the soldiers. 

Footage of soldiers mistreating four Syrian refugees trying to cross into Turkey illegally drew widespread criticism, especially on social media.

“The personnel who carried out acts that are impossible to accept, have been detained and the necessary legal action has been taken against them,” the army stated.

A delegation was assigned to investigate the incident by the Armed Forces after the video footage surfaced on social media. According to the delegation’s examinations, the incident took place on July 28 at around 11 a.m. in one of the Turkish border units. 

Four Syrian refugees trying to cross the border illegally were spotted by two soldiers, identified only by the initials S.B. and E.P., and were taken to the soldiers’ post. 

While the soldiers beat the Syrians, another soldier, identified only as Y.G., recorded the incident with his cell phone. 

Y.G. then sent the footage to a contact in Germany, identified only as Feride A. and having the username “Agido Tom,” through WhatsApp on July 29. 

The investigation delegation said the fact that the footage was sent from abroad was “meaningful” and described the incident as “an act carried out deliberately to weaken and harm Turkey and the Turkish Armed Forces.”

The Armed Forces also shared information regarding the health conditions of the beaten Syrians, saying they were deported after authorities determined that they were in a stable condition.

“Four people, who were caught trying to enter Turkey illegally, were delivered to security forces and they were deported after necessary health checks were made and after their health conditions were determined to be fine,” it stated.